Expedition Cruise Specialist to Buy Two Celebrity Ships
Lindblad Expeditions Expands Fleet with Acquisition of Celebrity Ships
Lindblad Expecitions-National Geographic expand fleet
Lindblad Expeditions Welcomes Two New Galápagos Vessels to Their Fleet
Exciting, but surprising news from Lindblad Expeditions – the global leaders in adventure travel and pioneers of modern expedition cruising. They’ve just announced the addition of two purpose-built Galápagos expedition vessels to their already impressive Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet.
Sven-Olof Lindblad, the founder and CEO, said, “We’re thrilled to expand our expedition cruise offerings in the Galápagos Islands. By adding these well-appointed vessels and our top-notch crew, we can continue to give our guests incredible experiences while highlighting the importance of protecting this unique ecosystem.”
Reflecting on the company’s history, he added, “When my father, Lars-Eric Lindblad, led the first international citizen expedition to the Galápagos nearly 60 years ago, he probably never imagined it would lay the groundwork for ecotourism in the archipelago. We’re eager to bring more guests to these islands, supporting conservation and education while also boosting local communities.”
Bookings for these new ships will open later this month, and their new names will be revealed then. Here’s a sneak peek: the first ship (formerly Celebrity Xpedition) will host 48 guests, with two dining venues and 24 outward-facing cabins, including 13 balcony suites. The second ship (formerly Celebrity Xploration) is a more intimate 16-guest, eight-cabin catamaran, perfect for family holidays, groups, and private charters.
Once the deal is finalised in January 2025, both ships will undergo multi-million-pound makeovers. They’ll be transformed to reflect the adventurous and comfortable spirit that Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is known for, celebrating the company’s deep connection to the Galápagos, Ecuador, and its people.
Rakan Zahawi, Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation, praised Lindblad Expeditions for their long-standing commitment to sustainable tourism in the Galápagos. “Lindblad Expeditions has been an extraordinary supporter of conservation efforts here. They’ve helped uplift local communities and protect the archipelago’s precious species and habitats. We’re grateful for their ongoing dedication.”
Since leading the first-ever non-scientific international civilian expedition to the Galápagos in 1967, Lindblad Expeditions has been at the forefront of modern expedition cruising. They’ve been operating two state-of-the-art ships in the region: the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II and the 48-guest National Geographic Islander II, offering six immersive itineraries and over 100 departures year-round. With the addition of these new ships, the size of their Galápagos fleet will double.
Want to know more about Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic’s Galápagos adventures? Check out Lindblad’s Galápagos offerings or learn more about their growing fleet here.